Sir Walter Raleigh was executed by beheading.
Born in 1552 he was to become one the most colourful characters of the English
Elizabethan age and very popular in Royal court.
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...one the most colourful characters
of the English Elizabethan age. |
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The modern spelling of his name is one of 40 different variations that have
been used (the English language having not been codified to the extent it has
today) and it does not even appear as if Raleigh actually spelt his name in
this way ever.
explorer
He spoke with a Devonshire accent and stood near the six foot mark, making
him tall for the period.
Famous for laying his cloak over a puddle for Queen Elizabeth to step on, for
which there is little historic proof (beyond a cloak in his coat of arms), he
is also credited with the introduction of tobacco and the potato into England.
He was an adventurer and explorer of the seas. In 1578 he went to the New World
with his half brother Sir Humphrey Gilbert.
Inspired by the possibilities Raleigh sponsored the first attempts to set up
an English colony in the Americas. This was on Roanoke Island which proved unsuccessful.
In 1595 he set about discovering the lost city of El Dorado, the fabled place
of endless golden wealth. This proved futile but he was not the first or the
last to chase these dreams with the same result.
defender
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During a period of Royal financial problems (these were common enough) he financed
the construction of the first Ark Royal commissioned to defend against the Spanish
Armada. He took an IOU for 5000 pounds for its construction.
The vessel was chosen to lead the English fleet against the Spanish invaders.
It was rebuilt in 1608 and named the Anne Royal before it was sunk by an accident
in 1636.
Given the task of defending the South West coast of England he also arranged
for the construction of a beacon warning system along that coast. The idea being
these would be lit when the Spanish were spotted so the land forces would be
ready for the invasion.
The other thing everyone knows about Raleigh is the fact he was playing bowls
when the Spanish fleet was seen and determined he had time to finish the game
before dealing with the Spanish. Another very unlikely tale.
love
Raleigh then fell in love and married one of Queen Elizabeth's Maids of Honour,
Bessie Throckmorton. This was an error. Queen Elizabeth was not the marrying
type and rather felt that extended to those about her.
She had affection for Raleigh and when he married it was not a good career
move in the tight-knit Elizabethan court.
He ended up in the Tower of London for nothing much more than getting married.
However he was released when one of his ships returned with the treasure from
a captured Spanish vessel, "Madre De Dios".
decline
When Queen Elizabeth died Raleigh was framed for a plot against James I and
quickly sent to the Tower of London.
This time his stay in the tower was little longer, 13 years. Originally intended
to be a death sentence it had been commuted to life by King James I in the days
when life was life. During this time he began to write, 'History of the World.',
originally a five volume work he only did the first two.
He was released once again but this was not to last.
The idea being he was going to go to Guiana and bring back fabulous wealth
for the English Crown. This was on the understanding he did not go about attacking
the Spanish.
Raleigh set of to find El Dorado once more, but failed. Instead his son attacked
a Spanish Colony and got himself killed in the process.
Returning to England James I enacted the death sentence.
As was common at the time his head was embalmed and given to his wife.
Also quite common; she carried the head with her at all times for the next
29 years. Now that would certainly enliven any after dinner conversation.
